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 The opportunity to train at the world famous gym in Los Angeles,
owned by Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach, comes courtesy of Tunku
Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, a member of the Johor Royal family in
Malaysia, who agreed to sponsor the stint.
Farkhan, who had impressed the prince by knocking out former Asian
champion Hendrik Aritonang in a March cruiserweight contest, will
now have the chance to train with world champions such as Filipino
Manny Pacquiao and Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto.
"I'm honored the prince trusted me. He saw my potential and is
helping the sport to grow," Farkhan told Monday's MalayMail.
"With his support, I can look forward to being Asian champion and
maybe the world title.
"Determination is the key to success and I believe I can win the
world title maybe in four years. But for now, I want to focus on
Asia."
The 27-year-old won middleweight gold at the Southeast Asian Games
in Laos in 2009 but the Johor-born fighter, now a light heavyweight,
endured a difficult time thereafter.
His father, a former boxer and vice president of the Malaysian
Amateur Boxing Federation, died in 2012 of heart failure and the
fighter was hospitalized after being attacked the same year.
He recovered but his struggles left him considering his future in
the sport.
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"I left the elite squad to turn pro. The federation didn’t support
me when I was with them and I almost quit.
"But I chose my own path and I am determined to make my country
proud."
Farkhan will compete at the Asian championships in Jakarta next
month, his first opportunity to deliver success with his new team of
backers.
The fighter said Filipino Pacquiao, who has won world titles in
eight different weight divisions and is considered one of the
sport's great entertainers, was his inspiration.
"It's hard but I'll strive for it. Now with the support of the crown
prince, my road will be a little easier. I'll promise to bring back
more glory."
(Writing by Patrick Johnston in Singapore; Editing by Peter
Rutherford)
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